We returned Vinedos Child Development Center to complete service projects consisting of clean-up and light construction.
The projects included:
Cleaning the lot beside the project
Repairing the classroom walls
Complete deep cleaning (to include the walls and floor) of the main meeting room
Washing each of the 7,000 chairs (okay—there weren’t 7,000—more like 300, but it seemed like 7,000!)
Groups immediately began cleaning the lot, repairing the walls, and cleaning the main room. I helped clean the lot:
The projects included:
Cleaning the lot beside the project
Repairing the classroom walls
Complete deep cleaning (to include the walls and floor) of the main meeting room
Washing each of the 7,000 chairs (okay—there weren’t 7,000—more like 300, but it seemed like 7,000!)
Groups immediately began cleaning the lot, repairing the walls, and cleaning the main room. I helped clean the lot:
Before
Home to many chickens
Trash/burn pile
The cleanup begins!
We found some big critters.
And some little critters.
Building of the rock wall.
Final task: sifting through the sand pile and removing all the broken glass.
Neighborhood boys pitched in and helped.
Once the lot was cleaned, I had the bright idea to give wheelbarrow rides to the kids. I took one kid, and that was enough for me. Chris took a couple of kids…but quickly tired.
The undisputed wheelbarrow king—Mike! I believe he gave almost every kid on the project a ride.
A neighborhood boy came to remove the trash. Jared said it best when he stated, “He’s too young to be a trash man.” He was by far one of the strongest people I have ever seen—and when he kicked a soccer ball, he about decapitated an opposing team member! (I nicknamed him Shrek because of his size and strength.)
Our next project was washing chairs. First observation: DO NOT GIVE GUM TO CHILDREN. I spent most of my afternoon pulling gum off the bottom of the chairs.
Even the littlest of hands helped wash the chairs.
Pam showed the boys how to blow soap bubbles.
Even Mike joined in the fun.
Observation two: Do not let the boys (who are more interested in blowing bubbles) add soap to the wash water. The rinsing crew quickly fell behind as it took about 5 minutes to rinse a single chair because of all the soap (and a lack of water pressure!).
Observation three: Shooing the boys from out of the restroom increases the rinse water pressure!
Repairing the classroom walls.
Dani jumped right in with the boys.
Philip and Dani are pleased with the results!
Buddies!
Buddies :) !!!!!!
Before we left, we an opportunity to meet some of the children who did not have sponsors. I met José, and I decided to sponsor him, too.
Look at that face (not you, Jared)—how could I resist?
Three of my favorite guys from the trip: José, Jared, and Mike.
Time for one last soccer game before we leave.
Our next project was washing chairs. First observation: DO NOT GIVE GUM TO CHILDREN. I spent most of my afternoon pulling gum off the bottom of the chairs.
Even the littlest of hands helped wash the chairs.
Pam showed the boys how to blow soap bubbles.
Even Mike joined in the fun.
Observation two: Do not let the boys (who are more interested in blowing bubbles) add soap to the wash water. The rinsing crew quickly fell behind as it took about 5 minutes to rinse a single chair because of all the soap (and a lack of water pressure!).
Observation three: Shooing the boys from out of the restroom increases the rinse water pressure!
Repairing the classroom walls.
Dani jumped right in with the boys.
Philip and Dani are pleased with the results!
Buddies!
Buddies :) !!!!!!
Before we left, we an opportunity to meet some of the children who did not have sponsors. I met José, and I decided to sponsor him, too.
Look at that face (not you, Jared)—how could I resist?Three of my favorite guys from the trip: José, Jared, and Mike.
Time for one last soccer game before we leave.
